Chapter: This Is Not a Crush (Keifer's POV)
I don't like Jay.
Let me correct that.
I absolutely, completely, confidently do not like Jay.
She's loud.
She's savage.
She roasts like it's a competitive sport.
She walks into a room like she owns the oxygen.
And yet…
Why am I staring at her right now?
She was sitting with Cin and Felix, arguing about something completely useless.
"No, you idiot," she said, flicking Cin's forehead. "If common sense was sold in stores, you'd still be out of stock."
Felix wheezed laughing.
Cin clutched his forehead dramatically. "Mother, why do you hurt your child?"
Jay leaned back in her chair like a villain in a movie. "Because I regret adopting you."
Section E burst into laughter.
And I—
I smiled.
Wait.
Why am I smiling?
I looked away immediately.
Disgusting.
Focus, Keifer.
She's your enemy.
Enemy.
Enemy.
…Right?
"Bro," Yuri nudged me. "You've been staring."
"I have not."
"You have."
"I'm just observing my opponent."
"Opponent?" Yuri grinned. "In what? Love war?"
I shoved him lightly. "Shut up."
But my eyes betrayed me again.
Jay was laughing now.
Not the sarcastic laugh.
Not the fake laugh.
The real one.
Head slightly thrown back. Eyes shining. No guard.
For a second…
She didn't look like a walking weapon.
She looked…
Soft.
I blinked.
Nope.
Illegal thought.
Delete.
Then it happened.
She turned.
Our eyes met.
And instead of rolling her eyes…
She smirked.
Like she caught me.
My heart did something stupid.
Something very stupid.
It skipped.
Actually skipped.
What is this? A malfunction?
She mouthed, "What are you looking at?"
I leaned back lazily and mouthed back, "Nothing interesting."
She raised an eyebrow.
Then threw a paper ball at my face.
Section E howled.
I caught it mid-air and grinned.
War mode activated.
But something was different.
Before, I wanted to win against her.
Now…
I just wanted her attention.
And that realization?
Terrifying.
Later during break, she was arguing with Mayo about snacks.
"You can't just steal my food," she snapped.
Mayo grinned. "Sharing is caring."
"You don't care. You're hungry."
I stepped in casually. "Relax, terrorist. It's just food."
She turned to me instantly. "Did I ask for your opinion?"
"No."
"Then why are you giving it?"
I stepped closer. "Because you look cuter when you're mad."
Silence.
Dead silence.
Section E froze.
Cin dropped his bottle.
Felix whispered, "Bro…"
Jay blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Her cheeks—
Did they just—
No.
Impossible.
She crossed her arms. "You need therapy."
I grinned. "You need anger management."
She leaned closer. "You need brain replacement."
I leaned even closer.
"And you need me."
Why did I say that?
WHY DID I SAY THAT?
Her eyes widened slightly.
But instead of backing away—
She smirked.
"In your dreams, Keifer."
And she walked away.
But this time…
She didn't look unaffected.
After class, I sat alone.
Which is rare.
Usually I'm loud.
Usually I don't think.
But today…
I'm thinking too much.
Why does her voice replay in my head?
Why do I notice the way she flips her hair when she's annoyed?
Why do I wait for her reactions?
Why do I feel bored when she ignores me?
And why…
Why does it hurt slightly when she laughs too much with someone else?
This is bad.
Very bad.
I don't fall first.
I don't fall at all.
And definitely not for a girl who threatens my existence daily.
But when she passed by me again—
She brushed my shoulder slightly.
Not intentionally.
Not dramatically.
Just lightly.
And I felt electricity.
Actual electricity.
She didn't look at me.
But she said quietly—
"Move, ego king."
I smirked.
"Say please."
She didn't stop walking.
"Keep dreaming."
And for some reason…
That made me happy.
Later that night, I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling.
Why her?
Out of all girls…
Why the one who argues like she's running a debate club in hell?
Why the one who doesn't care about my popularity?
Why the one who doesn't get nervous around me?
Why the one who looks at me like I'm just… normal?
And that's when it hit me.
She doesn't treat me like a king.
She treats me like a challenge.
And I think…
I like that.
No.
I don't like her.
I just—
Enjoy the competition.
Yes.
That's it.
Competition.
Not a crush.
Not feelings.
Not interest.
Just war.
…Right?
My phone buzzed.
Group chat: Section E.
Felix: "Keif bro you're finished."
Cin: "Wedding bells soon."
Yuri: "He fell first."
I threw my phone away.
"I did NOT fall."
But deep inside…
There was a small, dangerous voice whispering—
You already did.